South Wales Fire & Rescue fight for the top spot in battle of the Cardiff 10K titans

The South Wales Fire & Rescue service are this year hoping to regain their title as the fastest team after they were pipped to the post in 2014 by the Royal Navy.

Last year’s iconic road race saw the most exciting Corporate Team Challenge to date, with the Royal Navy running team knocking the South Wales Fire & Rescue team from their five year reign at the top of the leader board. However, the Royal Navy team, who narrowly won by a single point are not planning on letting go of their title any time soon and have entered a top level team to ensure that they hold onto their title.

Organised by leading Welsh charity, Kidney Wales, the Cardiff 10k is one of the top ten road races in the UK, attracting thousands of runners who take on the scenic city centre course. This year’s race will take place on Sunday September 6th, with the main 10k event commencing at 10.00am and the 2K family run starting at 9.15am.

The Royal Navy running team will be travelling from military bases from across England, including Plymouth, Hampshire and the Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton, which is one of the Navy’s two principle air bases and one of the busiest military airfields in the UK.

The 6 strong Royal Navy team, comprised of marines and navy troops, train up to 6 days per week, completing track training and cross country sessions. This year the mixed male and female squad hope to complete the race in times of between 35-38 minutes. Last year the team finished first, beating all 144 registered teams, including arch rivals the South Wales Fire & Rescue team.

This year’s team was carefully selected from a pool of 100 runners, and the fastest and strongest contenders will take to the starting line alongside 5,000 other non-professional runners, who will be running for good causes across Wales.

Pete Belcher, the Navy team manager said: “We really enjoyed our time competing in our first Cardiff 10k last year and are looking forward to competing in September and retaining our title! We are bringing a stronger team this year and are looking to achieving a faster time and reaching our personal best.”

However, South Wales Fire & Rescue do not intend to take the Navy challenge lying down. The enthusiastic team have been entering teams into the Cardiff 10k race since 2006 and have never slipped below second place. Last year saw the team fall from their top spot when one of their fastest runners had to pull out at the 6k mark from an injury. However, this year the team have two new additions to their ranks and have progressively built up their strength and stamina over the year to ensure they are fielding the strongest team yet.

The all-male squad are based in fire stations across Wales including Cardiff Central, Caerphilly and Maesteg. Each station has provided their runners with individual training plans in order to ensure the team are at their peak fitness. The team have been training at their running clubs and at their station gyms, as well as completing within local 10k’s to test their personal bests.

Gareth Green, the team’s manager and health and fitness adviser said: “Last year the team and I were very disappointed that we didn’t uphold our title, but this year we have two new members to the team who are very quick runners.

“Our team have been training all year, and this year we are working towards at least 4 out of our 6 men getting across the finish line in under 35 minutes. The Cardiff 10k is a great event and we are proud to compete in support of Kidney Wales year after year.”

Registration for the 2015 Cardiff 10k event is now open and people of all ages and abilities are being urged to get involved with this landmark 30th anniversary event.

Make a Donation to Kidney Wales

You can run the 10K for any chosen charity.
However, as event organisers, Kidney Wales would be grateful for any donations that will go towards helping Kidney Wales fund ongoing research and support

Amount in GBP(£):*

Click to make this a gift aid donation!

I confirm that I am a UK income or Capital Gains taxpayer. I have read this statement and want the Charity Kidney Wales Foundation to reclaim tax on the donation detailed above, given on the date shown. I understand that I must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.

PLEASE tick the box above to give us this valuable extra money

When you click submit, a new window will open to WorldPay’s Secure Payment Page to complete your payment.

Make a Donation

Your donation will help The Kidney Wales Foundation fund its ongoing research and support

Amount in GBP(£):*

Click to make this a gift aid donation!

I confirm that I am a UK income or Capital Gains taxpayer. I have read this statement and want the Charity Kidney Wales Foundation to reclaim tax on the donation detailed above, given on the date shown. I understand that I must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.

PLEASE tick the box above to give us this valuable extra money

When you click submit, a new window will open to WorldPay’s Secure Payment Page to complete your payment.